When someone dies mysteriously during a Psych experiment, Rhiannon becomes enmeshed in a conspiracy that includes both the survivors and the killer.
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Short on cash, Rhiannon...
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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DEBRIEFING
( — a short interview that takes place between researchers and research participants immediately following their participation in a psychology experiment. )
— ♡ —
ISLA'S FACIAL EXPRESSION INSTANTLY CHANGES WITH THE REVEAL. Rhiannon watches it change from concern to pure incredulity, as she had always been one of the first people to point fingers at Stephanie, reminding Rhiannon that was the person who should have stood by her side through it all—and chose to do the exact opposite.
That's the whole point of Isla's argument. Stephanie always had a choice, and she used it to ditch her sister and let her get burned, but Rhiannon also has to remind Isla she brought it upon herself. Even though she's still awfully bitter over it all, as she wishes she had had her sister by her side during the worst period of her life, she knew she had to be held accountable and pay for her mistakes.
And, boy, did she pay for them.
It might also be the right time to let go—after all, things between Rhiannon and her family can't possibly get any worse than they already are and, technically, Stephanie had nothing to do with it.
Losing a house owned by his family in a fire is no punishment for Connor. The Duncans own several other houses, houses much bigger and valuable than that one, and this is simply a pebble stuck in his shoe; once he gets it out, he'll be free to live his life as if nothing had happened. Rhiannon, unfortunately, doesn't have the opportunity to treat herself to such luxuries.
"Rhea," Isla timidly begins, dropping her hands, "are you serious? You called her?"
"Yeah," Rhiannon confirms, and she swears she can see smoke beginning to leave Isla's temples and her nostrils flaring. "Isla, she's my sister; I can't stay mad at her forever."
"You can't stay mad at your siblings when they ruin your favorite pair of jeans"—Rhiannon shudders when Isla raises her voice, but she doubts she noticed it—"but you certainly can when they ditched you when you needed them the most, especially when your parents might as well be Mr. and Mrs. Satan!"
Isla briefly pauses, most likely to give her a chance to say something, but Rhiannon simply falls back to her chair. Her body aches with exhaustion, as she might be willowy, but certainly not athletic, and all the running and walking around she has been doing tonight, added to the horrifying sight that was Frances' body sprawled out at the bottom of the stairs, hasn't done any wonders to her mental state.
For a hospital, the hallways are awfully quiet—eerily so, even during such a chaotic night. Moments earlier, the staff was running back and forth and the floor almost seemed to throb beneath Rhiannon's feet as she dodged them, not wanting to be the one making them get to a room one second too late for having bumped into her. Now, everything is almost silent.
